Challenging veterinary students to embrace the opportunities available to them is a goal of the college’s newly minted dean Charles Rhodes.
Rhodes recently took the helm at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon from Alex Livingston, who completed his second term as dean in 2002.
Rhodes cited his own career path as an example of what is possible for students. Raised on a Wisconsin mixed farm, he helped in a neighbouring veterinarian’s practice as a teen while dreaming of his own career caring for farm animals.
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“I thought I’d be just in practice,” said Rhodes, who followed university graduation with swine research in Vietnam, and taught and operated a clinical practice at the Saskatoon college. He headed the herd medicine and theriogenology department and served as acting dean for the last six months.
His swine research has focused on production medicine, diseases and the effects on environments in intensive livestock operations.
As the college’s only swine specialist, he wanted to ensure support for herd health in swine will continue following his move into the dean’s office. The college responded by advertising his previous position and setting up a second swine position.
“The swine industry is growing rapidly in Western Canada and has a solid future,” Rhodes said.
The college is promoting animal medicine through its “Think Large” campaign, but Rhodes noted there are strong needs and tremendous diversity throughout veterinary medicine.
“We encourage students before they enter to be aware,” he said.
Promoting the college itself will be another goal for Rhodes, who called it “the best kept secret in Western Canada.”
A chance to continue in a clinical practice drew him to teach in Saskatoon more than 30 years ago. Since then Rhodes and his wife have raised three children in the city.
He said he has noticed many similarities between the Canadian Prairies and Minnesota and Wisconsin, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science and doctorate in veterinary medicine.
“I see cultural and other differences going east and west and the similarities going north and south,” he said.
Rhodes expressed optimism about the college’s future on the heels of two recent announcements.
Agreements between the four western provinces will see the college receive $1.75 million annually.
“That’s a lot of money to us,” he said, noting it represents a 10 to 12 percent increase in funding.
In December, the federal government announced it would give the college $22.2 million for clinics, research and diagnostics.
That’s 40 percent shy of what was asked for, but Rhodes is confident the shortfall of $15 million can be raised from public and private sectors during the next five years.
Strong collaboration with a good staff will be central to the college’s future.
“My successes will be as a result of their work and input. For me, success would mean the college is successful.”
